People always ask how we stay connected after almost 20 years together—and five kids later—and honestly? It’s not grand gestures. It’s the small things, the intentional things, the couple of hours when we stop talking about who needs to be picked up and where, and actually talk to each other again.
Somewhere along the way, we realized that spending time together isn’t selfish. It’s actually one of the best things we can do for our family. When our marriage feels strong, everything else in our home feels better, too!
That doesn’t mean date night has to be fancy. Half the time, we’re exhausted and debating whether we should just stay home in sweatpants. But we’ve learned that getting out together, even for a few hours, matters.
One thing we really love doing is trying local restaurants together. It gives us a chance to slow down, talk about something other than logistics, and actually enjoy each other’s company without someone yelling “Mom!” from another room.
A few of our favorite spots lately:
• Nostrana in Boonton @nostranaristorante for a cozy, intimate date night
• Barka in Mountain Lakes @barka__restaurant when we want something that feels a little more special
• Black Rabbit Saloon in Montville @blackrabbitnj for a more laid-back night out
At this point in life, sometimes date night is just eating a meal while nobody asks me for ketchup. But those little moments together matter more than people realize.
Because one day our kids will grow up and leave the house. And when that happens, I still want us to know each other outside of being “Mom” and “Dad.”
And honestly? I think seeing their parents continue to choose to explore life together is one of the healthiest things our kids can grow up around.
Follow along on socials @felishalynchxo